Interleukin 6 mediated differentiation and rescue of cell redox in PC 12 cells exposed to ionizing radiation

The differentiation of PC12 cells to a neuron-like morphology was induced by ionizing radiation in the presence of serum. This effect was detectable at 5 grays (Gy) and reached a maximum at 10–20 Gy. Increases in the DNA binding activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and increased Interleukin 6 (IL-6) mRNA levels were observed at a dose of 15 Gy. Neutralization of supernatant IL-6 by the addition of anti-IL-6 antibody inhibited the neuronal differentiation and decreased cellular redox. Ionizing radiation and serum may act synergistically as neurotropic factors.